It would appear that Delegate Scott Lingamfelter likes to write even more than I do. Since he also writes better than I do, I am pleased relay his material. So here is the July 20th Edition of the Lingamfelter Report.
A Government Big Enough to Give You Everything…
Dear Friends,I suppose one day it will happen. Each year for the last 6 years, I have introduced a bill that would require an outside audit of Virginia’s government by a private group that does not have a stake in growing government. Like I often say, there is no such thing as a self-butchering hog and if anyone thinks that government is actually going to reduce itself, they are delusional.
The truth is, as often the case in private industry, reform comes as a result of market forces. But government insulates itself from those forces by simply pouring more money into any given problem. The result is predictable; more inefficiency and duplication of effort with increased costs.
I just marvel at liberals who say the answer to your health needs, for example, is state-run healthcare. Think about it. These people want the same government that runs FEMA to also run your healthcare system? Sorry, no thanks.
But as long as we depend on government to reform itself, we can count on growing the government out of sight. What is needed is a no-nonsense audit of the state by a private, outside set of eyes that will call it like it sees it. My approach will do just that.
This approach has been tried successfully in other states like Pennsylvania and South Carolina where the costs of the audit yielded potential government reductions ten times that of the actual audit cost.
So why don’t we just do it? Because the only thing harder than putting a snow suit on a struggling two-year old is trying to cut a government program. As Reagan said, “There is no such thing as a temporary government program.”
Nevertheless, I will introduce this bill again. My hope is that people and political leaders will get behind it. Think about it.
. Why for instance do we have both a Secretary of the Commonwealth and a Secretary of Administration? Sound similar to you?
. What is magic about state-owned ABC stores? What about franchisees?
. If industry can contract out for payroll handling and personnel services, why can’t Virginia?
. Do we really need a state-run motor pool? Why not a contract with a car rental agency?
. Why do we continue to rent office space when we have underused state-owned offices? Or would it be better to rent almost exclusively and divest ourselves of non-essential state-owned buildings?
. In a time of increased use of telecommuting and video teleconferencing, is it not the time to adapt our work routines and travel budgets?
. Is there any potential to contract out services like the DMV at lower cost, greater efficiency, more flexible hours, and (heaven forbid!) shorter lines?
. Can school choice actually result in cost savings for the tax payers of Virginia and better education for the kids whose parents choose that route?
. Is it possible that flexible health insurance options for state workers just might let them get a better healthcare program that fits their lifestyle at less cost that they are paying today?
. If industry can provide lucrative 401K retirement plans for their workers, why can’t state workers also have this option in addition to a pension if they choose?
I am not saying we should do all of these. What I am saying is until we look at them seriously and dispassionately, we will not have enough solid information to affect these reforms.
One thing is certain. Until we do a comprehensive audit of the state by a disinterested party – a group without a stake in more government – these questions are likely to remain the subject of interesting conversation as opposed to the concrete steps we take to rein in government.
How can you help? First, let your representative know that you want legislation to achieve this purpose and have them sign onto my bill this coming session.
Second, think. Think what we can do in a practical way to get this work done. Then send me your ideas. Please, be realistic too.
Finally, remember this the next time you want government to take on yet one more thing in your life. A government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take everything you’ve got.
Sincerely,
L. Scott Lingamfelter
Delegate, 31st District
Virginia House of Delegates
